Creighton/Long Beach St.
 

NCAA backcourt rule is the same on 3 pts, isn't it?

Official just called the violation in the last minute of the game. Ball didn't come close to the line.

Brutal call.

Also, another example of the announcers not knowing the rules either since they agreed with the call even after seeing a slow-motion replay.

Indeed it is... I hit rewind as soon as the whistle blew... I've had a long day... just wanted to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

Yeah I saw it too. Bad call. Could have cost the game.

Not just the announcers. Sportscenter talking heads, too. :o

Not only did the ball not cross the line, neither did his right foot.

Fortunately, the opponent lost the ball OOB on the ensuing possession.

I was hoping people would bring it up on here. I was going to record it on video and post it, but I was sure it would be talked about. That bad thing is that it wasn't even close.

Holy cow...
 

I just watched the replay. That was bad. We probably won't hear about it but I wouldn't be surprised if those guys are docked a game by their conference (I'm asssuming MVC since Creighton was the home team). I know that sounds drastic but conference assignors don't look kindly on officials screwing up rules, especially late in televised games.

As for the announcers, I began following Stephen Bardo (the analyst on the game) on Twitter a few months ago for the sole purpose of telling him when he screws up the rules.

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Isn't that the second one of those this season (last minute, nationally televised game)? Wow.

- BAD call.
- Yes, it's the 2nd one we've seen this season in the last minute of a game.
- The officials were assigned by the Big West Conf. for this game (ALL Bracket Buster games have the officials assigned by the visiting conf.).
- That previous, incorrectly called play was shown to ALL D1 (and others belonging to the NCAA's officiating website) via a video bulletin.
- I imagine we'll see this play in the next video bulletin sent out by John Adams.
- I would think that if any discipline is handed out, it would be only be to the calling official and NOT the entire crew.

The dribbler was not challenged by a defender, so there was no chance of a foul being committed. The play was not near a sideline, so there was no OB violation possible. The clock wasn't near 00:00, so there was no last second shot to be concerned about. 10-second rule? Not likely since A1 bolted up the court right away.

When this happens, the only job the T has has is to ensure that all 3 points cross the division line.

It's pretty bad when you screw up your only job, especially when it wasn't even close, and right at the end of the game.

I've said it before and it remains true: if fate has it that you will screw this call up, do it with 8:04 left in the first NCAA-half. People will barely remember it then. They will remember a blown call with 42 seconds left in the game.

You have to start strong and finish strong. Yes, I've learned the hard way. :(

Oh my. Just goes to show that none of us are infallible.

Twocents, you have a point regarding the calling official but I think the C could catch some heat as well since he's supposed to stay even with the ball up court unless there are very few (2 or 3) players in the backcourt. It would've looked odd if he told his partner it wasn't a violation but it also would've kept them out of the (post-game) soup. Again, JMO.

Btw - I seem to be in a back and forth with analyst Stephen Bardo about this on Twitter.

Me: FYI - Play in the last min of LBSU/Creig wasn't b'court. Both feet & ball of dribbler have to be in f'court first.
SB: I'm amazed at guys like u that seem to watch games and CAN'T wait to point out the negative. Thanks for watching
Me: Not trying to be negative. I've been a basketball official for 20+ yrs. Just trying to educate.
SB: u said that the last time u wanted to educate
Me: Thanks. When b'casters - I also work in TV - misinterpret rules it filters down to me on the court. Knowledge helps us all.

If the C official saw this play and KNEW it was not called correctly... what should he have done?

He should go in and say something.

I wouldn't be surprised if at that level, they don't.

In the video, it seems the C had an eye on the play. It's amazing that he didn't take the time to talk to the T.
This kind of situation goes to the statement that mis-application of a rule will get us in much more trouble than a judgement call.

Not familiar with NCAA mechanics but to me I don't like the trails position there which undoubtedly lead to the kicked call.

This was either a steal or a rebound and a push up the court. T got to where he could get -- and the mechanics here would be the same as in FED, and the T isn FED would be in (about) the same spot.

The Weed Of Crime Bears Bitter Fruit, Crime Does Not Pay, The Shadow Knows ...
 

Would the correct call have been a little easier to make if there was a "real" division line, not a "shadow" division line, running through the jump ball circle.

if it were me.....if I have definite knowledge and can bring specific info. to my partner, IN THIS SITUATION, i would bring it to him and hopefully he will reverse his call.

"partner - i am 110% certain that the ball NEVER made it into the frontcourt. that should not be a b/c violation."

if he doesn't change it, then i've done all i can.

the goal should be to "get the call right".

How much easier does the call need to be? The ball didn't even come close to touching in the frontcourt!

Itsy, Bitsy, Teenie, Weenie ...
 

Just a little.

Sometimes I think that 3-person mechanics need to be a little more flexible to give the C more responsibility on backcourt violations in transition. That said, this one wasn't even close.

There are many here (perhaps a majority) who think the C, even if they thought differently, should stay out of it. We went through a parallel situation a few months ago and many (perhaps most) said the C should not step in.

Their thinking was that the C can't know whether the T thought the player has crossed the line or simply missed the rule....as such, since it could be a question of judgment, they see that as overriding a judgement to step in and thought the C should stay away.

if the C has DEFINITIVE knowledge, you BETTER come in and get the call right at this point in the game....if an official purposely stays away from a call like this in a game-changing moment - then you've got other issues that mean you probably shouldn't be working on that assignment.

When it comes to rule interpretation, I truly believe any official should come in and assist (provide information) on the call. Once, you have provided the information you have done your job. IMO.

I will go as far to say these same officials will probably say:
It's ok to go without a lanyard.
It's ok not to blow your whistle to bring in substitutions.

These are my opinions and my opinions only!!!

I think on this play, with the miss being so egregious (at least in an official's eyes), if the C had definite information, then he has to go to his partner and provide information. I wouldn't really view this as a judgement call like say a foul...this one is pretty black and white. The dribbler has to have all three points in the frontcourt...not a lot of "judgement" in that.

1. If I were the C and this was one of my games, I would go tell the Trail what I saw.

2. There are certain officials locally who would be livid if I came to them on this play because they see anything like this as a personal affront.

I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt...I think he is calling a carry :D